Red Queen

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

This is one of those books that I picked up because it says in the description, "Graceling meets The Selection..." I've read Graceling (and Fire and Bitterblue) and I ADORED them! I also read the The Selection (and the rest of the series) which were okay because I liked how they dealt with the downfalls of a caste system. ...yes, I do get sucked in when books relate to other books to describe themselves. SH-RUG.

An amazon summary, "The #1 New York Times Bestseller

Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

Mare Barrow's world is divided into red and silver. Red bloods do not have an extra ability, but silver bloods do. The red bloods are treated terribly; if they don't have a job or apprenticeship by the age of 18, they're conscripted to fight in the war effort against the lakelanders, which has been going on for decades. Mare has accepted that when she turns 18, she's going to be drafted to fight in war, but she takes solace that her close friend Kilorn, will not be drafted since he's an apprentice fisherman. ...until his master fisherman dies. Kilorn is about to be conscripted to war in a matter of days, unless Mare can buy his freedom. So Mare, with the help of her sister Gisa (who works for a seamstress), go to a silver city to pick pocket silvers to get enough money to smuggle Kilorn out of their town and save him from war. ...until a red rebellion group known as the Scarlet Guard commits a terrorist act and all the silvers go on a murder spree, trying to kill every red citizen in sight. Mare and Gisa escape, but Gisa's sewing hand is crushed when she tries to pick pocket a silver. In desperation, Mare goes to linger outside a bar and pick pocket people as they exit. She's mostly successful until she pick pockets one man who catches her. After some conversation and introducing himself as Cal, he gives her a good chunk of money and lets her go about her business.

The next day, Mare is summoned by a car and spirited off to be a servant for the royal household - Cal has gotten her a job. Mare is saved from conscription and may be able to save Kilorn too. She can't find Cal though amongst the servants. As they start serving at the event, she sees Cal, amongst the silver royalty; turns out he's the prince in line for the throne. Mare goes about her business of being a servant, but when the stadium moves, Mare is thrown onto the electric shield that covers the arena, and miraculously doesn't die. She's swept up in a silver whirlwind of cover up - of course she isn't red blooded, she's silver blooded and from a long lost silver house.

...that's enough summary. I just feel like the amazon summary left out a lot of chunks of information leading up to Mare discovering she has powers. Anyways.

Throughout the book, I read Mare as a survivalist; constantly in a cross roads of decisions trying to make the best one in the moment she's placed in. Sometimes her heart sways her decisions, other times her mind. But she's trying to survive and I can't stress that enough.

I thought a lot of the political climate was interesting, especially with how the red versus silver caste system kind of plays out. I also thought a lot of the background with the royal family was very interesting but really, we need to talk about the powers.

So a lot of the silvers fall into different houses and certain bloodlines carry on the power. I thought a LOT of the powers were interesting, especially in the portrayal of their use. But, I was also a little peeved that none of the powers presented felt original or different... which would probably be increasing difficult to do with how many super heroes/villain powers are very prevalent today. But still, it's on my wishlist for maybe future books in this series.

I also wanted a little more time spent with the world building surrounding the Scarlet Guard. I feel like we got a really good glimpse of them? But not much else.

I also also thought how Mare felt about the different potential romantic partners was a little inconsistent, but I relate that back to her trying to survive. I could go either way with logically, it'd be better to choose this one, but my heart wants me to pick this one. There seemed to be a lot of internal fighting with herself throughout the story.

I will read the second book; there was definitely enough unique and interesting ideas presented in this book to get me to pick up book 2.

Happy reading!

A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I either love or hate retelling of old tales; sometimes I get a rare mix of liking certain elements but disliking other elements. Luckily, I kind of loved this retelling of Tamlin.

There are definitely scenes of violence and sex throughout this story, so it you don't like reading about those, I would consider not picking up this book.

An amazon summary, "Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R.R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin--and his world--forever." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

So Feyre, her two sisters, and father live in a very small cabin on the outskirts of town. They used to live in a manor, but after their father lost an investment, they move out to the small cabin. On their mother's death bed, Feyre promised to look after her family, so she has learned to hunt. She frequently goes out hunting to provide food for the family, and always carries an ash arrow on her...just in case she runs into a Fae. The Fae are supposed to be trapped on the other side of a giant, magical wall but there have been more rumors lately about Fae escaping into the human realms. While Feyre is out hunting, she spots a doe, but she's not the only one in the forest to have spotted it. A large wolf is also stalking the doe, and Feyre takes it down. She suspected it was a Fae wolf based on the size, so she used her ash arrow just in case.

Turns out the wolf was a Fae wolf and their best friend, another Fae, has come to claim the debt; a life for a life. Feyre can either die now, or she can go live in the Fae realm. Feyre decides to go with the Fae across the wall.

Feyre arrives to the Spring court which is Tamlin's estate and begins to learn the customs and just how lethal the Fae can truly be. There is also an oddity; each of the members of court seem to always wear masks. 

...that's enough summary.

I really like Maas' writing style. It's very vivid, and a lot of information is woven intricately through the story. It never feels like suddenly massive amounts of character development, world building, or just solid chunks of information are dropped in. It's just a very sneaky methodical story with how information is revealed and how everything progresses.

I also love the character of Feyre; she's one of those people who I root for and also yell at. She feels like a very authentic character. But, every other character throughout the story is well done too. I would be hard pressed to find a flaw in characters in terms of writing styles (but oh boy do lots of them have fun issues in the personal problem sense, like whoa).

As far as the story playing into the Tamlin mythology, I would say there are definitely a lot of parallels, but this is it's own fully realized story. It also starts taking on it's own sense of adventure as events unfold towards the end (dun dun dunnnn). I definitely hope there's a second book, but I would be happy if this was a stand alone book.

Happy reading!

Echo

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

I struggle a lot with what to say about this book. Bear with me.

The story is so simple, complicated, convoluted, and mildly obnoxious for how deep it strives to be, yet doesn't quite achieve it's intention (maybe, boo).

An amazon summary, "Music, magic, and a real-life miracle meld in this genre-defying masterpiece from storytelling maestro Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.  Richly imagined and masterfully crafted, ECHO pushes the boundaries of genre and form, and shows us what is possible in how we tell stories. The result is an impassioned, uplifting, and virtuosic tour de force that will resound in your heart long after the last note has been struck." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Ultimately, this book is about a harmonica. 

There, I said it.

This freaking, kind of off the beaten path, is about a harmonica.

This harmonica tends to travel between different young people at pivotal, and often politically charged moments of their life. It strives to create a snapshot into history in a very relatable way.

So there's changing narrators that all face different hardships, and as a kind of solace, they find comfort in the same harmonica they have all mysteriously come into contact with.

Like, I get what the book was probably going for; maybe something along the lines of every person's story is interconnected in this big strange world, but the stories didn't connect quite well enough or fully resolved enough for me.

I kind of felt like the book was a borderline "required reading book" with the level of mystery that surrounded it since there was so much to digest between it's pages.

But really, I just struggle so much with what to say about this. I liked the different themes and stories within the book, but I kind of wish I had been able to read each narrator's story as it's own separate book. What we get to see within the book is only a snippet of their story, and they were interesting stories.

I'm just hung up on the harmonica.

Happy reading!

Prudence

Prudence by Gail Carriger

....I'm pretty much in love with Gail Carriger's writing. No further comments.

I've previously read & blogged about these books by Carriger:
THE PARASOL PROTECTORATE
CURTSIES & CONSPIRACIES
ETIQUETTE & ESPIONAGE
WAISTCOATS & WEAPONRY

This is the first book of The Custard Protocol series, which is the spin off series of The Parasol Protectorate series.

This is a book geared towards adults, I usually read young adult books....so the heads up feels justified.

 so here's an amazon summary, "When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama ("Rue" to her friends) is bequeathed an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female under similar circumstances would do -- she christens it the Spotted Custard and floats off to India.

Soon, she stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis (and an embarrassing lack of bloomers), Rue must rely on her good breeding -- and her metanatural abilities -- to get to the bottom of it all..." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE 

Prudence has grown up and is ready for her own adventures. Raised in Lord Akeldama's lovely household with all of his dandies.

She's been slightly trained in art of espionage and she's bored at high society events. Prudence is ready to take on something a little more challenging...

With an assignment from Dama (Lord Akeldama), Prudence is off in a dirigible named The Spotted Custard that also looks like a giant lady bug.

This book is full of the same great humor, penchant for particular fashion, and interesting supernatural instances.

Pretty fantastic.

Happy reading!

Fourth of July

Today's news title is brought to you by Fall Out Boy: FOURTH OF JULY. ENJOY!

Where did you go?!

...I've been around. I'm still reading, I just haven't had much patience to sit at my computer and blog.

What does that mean?!

I'll start posting short & sweet blog posts of the 11 or so books I've read but have been silent about. They're going to be back posts but new to the blog? You're news updates/feeds/whatevers might get a little crazy. Heads up - not an apology. ;)

....I guess this is good.

Yes. Yes it is good.

Are you going to leave us again?!

Maybe? Who knows!?

I enjoy blogging, especially because it helps me keep track of books I'm on the look out for sequels to....although I still derp out about that sometimes. Hmm. Meh.

I'll probably be around, but I'm probably going to stick with shorter blog posts for a bit.

If I get less exhausted by the process....I'll probably write more blog posts.....am I write?! Hehehe.

...will you stop making puns? :|

Nope. :D

Anything else?

You betcha! I'm going to updating THE COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES section because I've also been reading a ton of stellar graphic novels lately and should share.

That's it.

Happy reading!